This topic is something very personal and literally a revelation to me, as I never knew there was a connection until August 28, 2024 when an article on WebMD caught my eye.
You see, I was a smoker for 26 years and quit on September 12, 1997. My primary reason for quitting was to make sure my boys grew up with their Dad alive. My own father died of his third heart attack at age 52.
Smoking cessation became an integral part of my life for many years as a member of an online support group which eventually lead me to become a quit coach for almost a decade. In 2000 I wrote a book titled:
Don't Quit Smoking Alone!
Help & Encouragement from the Trenches of an Online Support Group
The book is available as a free read... click here :-) Thousands have benefitted from perusing the topics covered in the book that focuses on the long-term maintenance of a successful quit. Have a look if you are a smoker or even former smoker.
Okay... let's get to this week's Ramble! If you are like me and were not aware of the connection between smoking and type 2 diabetes until now, my hope is that this article and my free book will help you move forward with your quit.
Smoking and Diabetes
Medically
Reviewed by Michael
Dansinger, MD on June 15, 2024
Written by Keri Wiginton for WebMD.com
If you smoke, you’re more likely to get type 2 diabetes (T2D).
In fact, your chances go up by 30%-40% when compared to someone who doesn’t
smoke. If you already have diabetes, smoking can
make it harder to control your blood sugar.
It can also worsen other health problems.
One of the best things you can do for your health is to give
up smoking.
But it can be hard to stop on your own. That’s why it’s important to get
support from friends, family, or online communities. You should also bring it
up with your doctor. They have treatments that can help you quit.
How Can Smoking Lead to Diabetes?
Studies show nicotine, the active chemical in cigarettes,
can raise your blood sugar. It can also hurt your body in many diabetes-related
ways. You may get:
Insulin resistance: Nicotine
makes it harder for your cells to respond to insulin. That’s the hormone that
helps your body use the sugar in your blood. You’ll
end up with higher glucose levels.
Inflammation: Chemicals
in cigarettes hurt your cells. This can lead to inflammation.
That’s when your body tries to heal itself. This kind of damage makes it harder
for your body to use insulin the right way.
Belly fat: If
you’re a heavy smoker, you may gain more weight around your
midsection. Even if you’re not overweight,
this central fat can raise your chances of insulin resistance and T2D.
Other health problems: Your “bad” LDL cholesterol can go up. At the same time, your “good” HDL cholesterol goes down. Smoking also raises your triglycerides. Those are a kind of fat found in your blood. High cholesterol and triglycerides have a link to T2D.
Smoking if You Have Diabetes
Nicotine makes it harder to control your blood sugar. If you
use insulin, you may need to take more of it than someone who doesn’t smoke.
Smoking paired with unmanaged diabetes can also speed up damage to your whole
body. That’s because your big and little blood vessels get hurt.
Compared to someone with diabetes who doesn’t smoke, you’ll
have an even greater chance of:
Smoking and Sleep
Studies show smokers don’t get as much quality sleep. There’s a
link between a lack of this restorative deep sleep and T2D. Part of the problem
is that nicotine is a stimulant. That means it can keep you awake. But you may
also have sleep problems
as the chemicals leave your body at night. That’s called withdrawal.
On the flip side, you may find it hard to fall or stay
asleep when you first quit smoking. If
that happens to you, talk to your doctor. They can help you find ways to get a
good night’s rest.
Does Smoking Cause Diabetes?
There’s a really strong connection between cigarette smoking
and T2D. Many studies point to a cause-effect relationship. But some experts
believe that it’s hard to say for sure that smoking alone causes diabetes.
That’s because there are a lot of other things at play.
Some other drivers of T2D include:
- Stress
- Obesity
- A family history of diabetes
- A lack of exercise
- Health problems, like high blood pressure
Quitting Can Help
Your blood sugar may go up when you first stop smoking. This
might happen because of post-quit weight gain.
But experts aren’t sure if added pounds are totally to blame. Either way, you
should stick with it. The longer you go without cigarettes, the better your
insulin resistance will get.
If you don’t already have T2D, you may be more likely to get it when you first stop smoking. Your chances are highest the first 2 years after you quit. But if you abstain for 10-12 years, your chances are more like someone who’s never smoked.
If you’re finding it hard to quit, talk to your health care team.
Your doctor may suggest a mix of treatment. That might include:
- Counseling
- Nicotine replacement therapy
- Mindfulness training for smoking cessation (MTS)
- Antidepressant (bupropion)
- Chantix, an oral medication that blocks nicotine receptors and eases symptoms of withdrawal
- Treatments for insomnia
You can also search for apps to help you quit, or you can
call 800-Quit NOW (800-784-8669). Some online resources you can turn to
include:
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Have a great week, everyone, and thank you for your support!
Blessed be… and happy cooking!
